Fremantle midfielder Michael Barlow returned to the line-up to take on Port Adelaide this Saturday at Patersons Stadium.

Barlow injured his thumb in the round 21 game against Hawthorn and missed last Sunday’s win against Brisbane.

The winner of the clash will seal a top-four finish and secure the important double chance for the finals.

Fremantle GM of football operations Chris Bond said Barlow would be given every chance to play.  

“We are going to see how he has pulled up after training and gets through the next few days,” Bond said.

After being a late withdrawal in the Lions clash, Matthew Pavlich has also been named in the final 22.

“Matthew was able to get through training and is an inclusion, which is terrific for us after his late withdrawal last week,” Bond said.

Garrick Ibbotson and Matt de Boer were omitted from the squad, but have been named as the emergencies with Jack Hannath.

“Both those players we consider to be unlucky, but there is no doubt those players will go back and have really good performances,” Bond said.

Last week saw Port Adelaide defeat Carlton by 103 points and Bond said the team is ready for a challenge.

“We have an enormous amount of respect for them,” he said.

“It’s going to be a really tough, physical battle... both teams are very fit and playing for a really big prize.”